Just Relax

Loki watches as Sasha sits outside the apartment her father bought for her, tears rolling down her cheeks in a continuous stream. He couldn't help the curiosity that overcame him, wondering what could make such a strong young woman cry like that. Surely she should be at her prom by now; laughing and joking with her friends instead of freezing in the cold night air.

She slowly raises her head when she hears his approach, eyes red and puffy from crying. She ducks her head again, not wanting one of her closest friends to see her like this. "What is wrong," Loki asks, sitting next to her on the steps. She just shakes her head, knowing that if she opened her mouth to talk the tears would just come back with full force. Loki lifts her head so he could get a good look at her, using magic to take away the soreness of her eyes and the tears she'd cried earlier.

"It's stupid," she shrugs, voice hoarse and soft—not at all like the confidante one he was used to hearing.

"Tell me anyway."

"My date ditched and went to prom with his ex." Loki remembers what the boy's ex looked like; Nutella-looking skin, squeaky voice, no thoughts in her head, and a rather large, nasty looking zit just between her uneven eyes. The image caused him to grimace and look back down at the girl beside him; straight mahogany hair up in an intricate hairstyle, pale skin, soft, pink lips…

"His loss." Loki stands suddenly, bringing Sasha up with him and leading her to the small porch of the apartment complex. "I believe he owed you a dance, did he not?" She nods slowly, confusion filling her dark eyes. "I guess you'll just have to deal with me and then you and I can think up something truly awful for that idiot." She smiles again, her confidence coming back.

As she lays her head against his chest and they begin their dance she could swear she felt his heartbeat speed up.